U.S. patent application number 10/412383 was filed with the patent office on 2004-10-14 for hair removal apparatus.
Invention is credited to Lee, Kwok Kay.
Application Number | 20040204721 10/412383 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 32869237 |
Filed Date | 2004-10-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040204721 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Lee, Kwok Kay |
October 14, 2004 |
Hair removal apparatus
Abstract
An apparatus for abrading hair from skin of a body includes an
abrasive surface comprising two or more adjacent belts having
coplanar flat portions adapted for moving in opposite directions.
The body of the apparatus has first and second parallel shafts
extending therefrom. The shafts rotate in opposite directions.
Belts having an abrasive surface and positioned between the first
shaft and second shaft for movement in either the first direction
or the second direction.
Inventors: |
Lee, Kwok Kay; (Hong Kong,
HK) |
Correspondence
Address: |
JACKSON WALKER L.L.P.
Suite 2100
112 E. Pecan Street
San Antonio
TX
78205
US
|
Family ID: |
32869237 |
Appl. No.: |
10/412383 |
Filed: |
April 11, 2003 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
606/133 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45D 26/0004 20130101;
B24B 23/06 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
606/133 |
International
Class: |
A61B 017/50 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An apparatus for abrading hair from skin including an abrasive
surface comprising two or more adjacent belts having coplanar flat
portions adapted for moving in opposite directions.
2. A hair removal apparatus including: a body, a first shaft
extending from the body, a second shaft extending from the body and
parallel to the first shaft, means for rotating the first shaft in
a first direction and rotating the second shaft in a second
direction, two or more belts having an abrasive surface and
positioned between the first shaft and second shaft for movement in
either the first direction or the second direction, and in which
each belt moves in the direction different to the belt or belts
adjacent to it.
3. The apparatus of claim 2 including two or more pulleys
positioned on each of the first and second shafts for receiving the
belts.
4. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the belts have adjacent flat
spans between the first shaft and second shaft providing an
abrasive surface therebetween.
5. A hair removal apparatus including: a body, a first shaft
extending from the body and having first a gear positioned on it, a
second shaft extending from the body parallel to the first shaft
and having a second gear positioned on it, a motor positioned in
the body and rotating an output shaft, a third gear position on the
output shaft and engaging the first gear for rotating the first
shaft in a first direction, a fourth gear engaging the third gear
and the second gear for rotating the second shaft in a second
direction, two or more belts having an abrasive surface and
positioned between the first shaft and second shaft for movement in
either the first direction or the second direction, and in which
each belt moves in the direction different to the belt or belts
adjacent to it.
6. A hair removal apparatus including: a body, a first shaft
extending from the body, a second shaft extending from the body and
parallel to the first shaft, means for rotating the first shaft in
a first direction and rotating the second shaft in a second
direction, two or more pulleys positioned on each of the first and
second shafts, two or more belts having an abrasive surface and
positioned between pulleys on the first shaft and second shaft for
forming a flat span therebetween and for movement in either the
first direction or the second direction, and in which each belt
moves in the direction different to the belt or belts adjacent to
it.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The current invention relates to hair removal apparatus and
in particular to apparatus for abrading hair from skin.
[0003] 2. Background Information
[0004] The most common methods for removing unwanted hair from the
body are by cutting (e.g. shaving) or pulling (e.g. waxing). A less
common method of removing unwanted hair is by abrading with an
abrasive surface.
[0005] U.S. Pat. No. 1,910,647 to Steeg et al, U.S. Pat. No.
2,314,220 to Johnson and U.S. Pat. No. 2,328,886 to Andrews et al
all disclose abrasive sheets that fit the hand for manual rubbing
of hairy areas of the body to abrade the hair from the skin. These
apparatus are time consuming and tiresome for the user.
[0006] Automatic abrasive hair removers have been produced which
work faster with less effort to the user. U.S. Pat. No. 2,714,788
to Giovanna, U.S. Pat. No. 5,084,046 to Isack and U.S. Pat. No.
5,377,699 to Varnum disclose such apparatus.
[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 2,714,788 discloses an automatic apparatus
with a rotating abrasive disk that reverses direction
automatically. The apparatus has a control for changing rotation
speed. However, such an apparatus would be inefficient when
operated at low speed and uncontrollable, due to the inertia of the
disk changing direction, when operated at high speed.
[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 5,084,046 discloses an automatic apparatus
with an eccentric abrasive ring. This apparatus can be operated at
high speed for better effect, however due to the small size of the
abrasive area on the annulus the apparatus is only appears suitable
for use on small areas of fine hair.
[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 5,377,699 discloses a further automatic
apparatus with a rotating abrasive disk or drum. In this apparatus
the disk or drum is covered by a foil and does not come into direct
contact with the skin surface. This reduces the efficiency of the
apparatus and extends the operating time.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] It is an object of the present invention to provide a hair
removal apparatus and in particular an apparatus for abrading hair
from the body which is fast and easy to use, and which ameliorates
problems with the prior art or at least provides the public with a
useful alternative.
[0011] According to a first aspect of the invention there is
provided an apparatus for abrading hair from skin including an
abrasive surface comprising two or more adjacent belts having
coplanar flat portions adapted for moving in opposite
directions.
[0012] According to a second aspect of the invention there is
provided a hair removal apparatus including:
[0013] a body,
[0014] a first shaft extending from the body,
[0015] a second shaft extending from the body and parallel to the
first shaft,
[0016] means for rotating the first shaft in a first direction and
rotating the second shaft in a second direction,
[0017] two or more belts having an abrasive surface and positioned
between the first shaft and second shaft for movement in either the
first direction or the second direction, and in which each belt
moves in the direction different to the belt or belts adjacent to
it.
[0018] Preferably, the hair removal apparatus includes two or more
pulleys positioned on each of the first and second shafts for
receiving the belts.
[0019] Preferably, the belts have adjacent flat spans between the
first shaft and second shaft providing an abrasive surface
therebetween.
[0020] According to a third aspect of the invention there is
provided a hair removal apparatus including:
[0021] a body,
[0022] a first shaft extending from the body and having a first
gear positioned on it,
[0023] a second shaft extending from the body parallel to the first
shaft and having a second gear positioned on it,
[0024] a motor positioned in the body and rotating an output
shaft,
[0025] a third gear position on the output shaft and engaging the
first gear for rotating the first shaft in a first direction,
[0026] a fourth gear engaging the third gear and the second gear
for rotating the second shaft in a second direction,
[0027] two or more belts having an abrasive surface and positioned
between the first shaft and second shaft for movement in either the
first direction or the second direction, and in which each belt
moves in the direction different to the belt or belts adjacent to
it.
[0028] According to a forth aspect of the invention there is
provided a hair removal apparatus including:
[0029] a body,
[0030] a first shaft extending from the body,
[0031] a second shaft extending from the body and parallel to the
first shaft,
[0032] means for rotating the first shaft in a first direction and
rotating the second shaft in a second direction,
[0033] two or more pulleys positioned on each of the first and
second shafts,
[0034] two or more belts having an abrasive surface and positioned
between pulleys on the first shaft and second shaft for forming a
flat span therebetween and for movement in either the first
direction or the second direction, and in which each belt moves in
the direction different to the belt or belts adjacent to it.
[0035] Further aspects of the invention will become apparent from
the following description, which is given by way of example
only.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0036] Embodiments of the invention will now be described with
reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
[0037] FIG. 1 is a first perspective view of a hair removal
apparatus according to the invention,
[0038] FIG. 2 is a second perspective view of the hair removal
apparatus with a body portion removed,
[0039] FIG. 3 is a plan view of FIG. 2,
[0040] FIG. 4 is an elevation view of FIG. 2,
[0041] FIG. 5 illustrates of a gear arrangement for the hair
removal apparatus, and
[0042] FIGS. 6 and 7 are section views through adjacent belts of
the apparatus.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0043] A preferred embodiment of a hair removal apparatus according
to the invention includes a body 1 enclosing a motor 2 with a drive
shaft 3. A drive gear 4 is positioned on the drive shaft 3. First
and second shafts 5, 6 extend from the body 1 parallel to each
other. Providing support to the distal ends of the shafts 5, 6 is a
link 10.
[0044] Positioned on each shaft 5, 6 proximate the body 1 are
second and third gears 7 and 8. Drive gear 4 meshes with second
gear 7 to drive first shaft 5 in a first direction. A second drive
gear 9 is located between drive gear 4 and third gear 8 of second
shaft 6. Second drive gear 9 meshes with drive gear 4 and third
gear 8 to cause second shaft 6 to move in the opposite direction to
first shaft 5. The arrangement of the four gears 4, 7, 8 and 9 is
illustrated in FIG. 5.
[0045] Referring to FIG. 5, drive gear 4 is positioned on motor
shaft 3 and rotates in an anti-clockwise direction. It meshes with
first shaft gear 7 and causes first shaft 5 to move in a clockwise
direction A. Second drive gear 9 is positioned to mesh with drive
gear 4 and gear 8 of second shaft 6. Anti-clockwise rotation of
drive gear 4 causes second drive gear 9 to rotate in a clockwise
direction and second shaft 6 to move in an anti-clockwise direction
B.
[0046] In an alternative embodiment a different gear arrangement is
utilised to move the two shafts 5, 6 in opposite directions. In
this arrangement motor 3 drives first shaft 5 directly. First shaft
gear 7 meshes with second shaft gear 8 turning it in the opposite
direction. There are no drive gears 4, 9. Other arrangements are
also envisaged and such are well within the capability of the
skilled addressee.
[0047] Positioned on each of first and second shafts 5, 6 are a
plurality of coaxial pulleys 11, 12. In the preferred embodiment
there are 6 coaxial pulleys on each shaft 5, 6. However, there may
be as few as two and as many as can be practically accommodated.
Positioned between corresponding pulleys 11, 12 on opposite shafts
5, 6 are a plurality of belts 13, 14 etc. The belts have an
abrasive external surface and extend in a flat span between the
pulleys 11, 12. The plurality of adjacent belts, six in the
preferred embodiment, provides a large working surface for abrading
hair from the skin.
[0048] Alternate pulleys 12 along shaft 5, and alternate pulleys 11
along shaft 6, are fixed to the shaft to move adjacent belts 13, 14
in opposite directions A, B at the abrading surface.
[0049] FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate a section through belts 13 and 14
respectively. In FIG. 6 the pulley 11 on second shaft 6 is fixed to
the shaft in order to move belt 13 in the anti-clockwise direction
A. Corresponding pulley 12 on first shaft 5 is free to rotate with
respect to shaft 5. Referring to FIG. 7, in the immediately
adjacent belt 14 the pulley 11' is free to rotate about second
shaft 6 and the corresponding pulley 12' on first shaft 5 is fixed
for rotation with the shaft thus moving the adjacent belt 14 in the
clockwise direction B.
[0050] The invention provides an apparatus with an abrasive surface
comprising two or more adjacent belts 13, 14 having co-planner flat
portions adapted to move in opposite directions A, B. The large
abrasive surface works a large area of hair on the skin at one
time. The two or more adjacent belts 13, 14 moving an opposite
directions A, B provide additional working of the hair in different
directions with little effort from the user. At the junction
between adjacent belts 13, 14 moving in opposite directions A, B
the hair is caused to twist and mat and the abrading affect is
improved thus reducing the time taken to remove the hair.
[0051] Where in the foregoing description reference has been made
to integers or elements having known equivalents then such are
included as if individually set forth herein.
[0052] Embodiments of the invention have been described, however it
is understood that variations, improvements or modifications can
take place without departure from the spirit of the invention or
scope of the appended claims.
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